Color television tube



Nov. 12, 1957 J. sUcHx-:R

COLOR TELEVISION TUBE Filed Nov. 8, 1954 :I @y 65 III ||l| rg d HF osc. `23

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United States Patent O COLOR TELEvIsION TUBE Jerome Sucher, Yonkers, N. Y. Application November 8, 1954, Serial No. 467,505

` 11 claims. v(ci. 313-73) The present inventionl relates to color television tubes and it particularly relates to color-kinescopes and other cathode ray tubes of the unmasked target variety.

It is among the particular objects of the present invention to provide a novel color-kinescope or other cathode ray tube iniwhich there will be a sharp definition of the image on the face or screen of the color tube and in which there will be high optical resloution by a relatively simple low cost liinescope construction with a relatively simple circuit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel electrical control assembly for use with cathode ray tubes which will give a colored light image of high brilliance or brightness, of highly useful life and of maximum freedom from c'olor dilution and color bleeding and which will produce clear and accurate color images. i

A further objectof the present invention is to` prof p vide a novel colorcontrol system particularly adapted to cathode ray tubes in which the cycle of operation may be maintained at high frequency without color contamination and with actual alignment and delnition of the color images.

A still further object is to produce high quality c`olcred images with a single electron gun cathode ray tube having a multiple element lluorescent screen.

In present systems of colored television there is great diiiiculty in obtaining correct registry of the electron beam onto the particular colored phosphors and there is usually a bleeding of the color or a production of incorrectcolor values, and it is among the objects of the present invention to readily obtain proper registry without the use of masking plates or complicated screens and without the necessity of using a plurality of electron guns which are usually required in prior dot registration or dot projection systems.

A further object is to obtain registry Without the use of plates having oomo to 1/400,000 openings and which require correct alignment of the beam, the opening in the masking plate or screen and the colored phosphor upon the face plate, which prior methods result in wastage of the effectiveness of the beam and in decreased brightness. p

Still -furthe'r objects and advantages will appear in the more detailed description set forth below, it being understood, however, that this more detailed description is given by way of illustration and explanation only and not by way of limitation, since various changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

The primary feature of the present invention resides in using a single electron gun and by sweeping' or elongating the dot to form a bar which is angularly turned or displaced for each respective color by an angle of 120.

The screen or face plate in turn will have the colored phosphors arranged in lines or in striations which are respectively positioned at 120 to one another, for example the red being in vertical position, the yellow be ing at in one angular direction, and the blue being at 120 in the other angular direction.

This elongation and turning of the electron beam for each respective primary color will be effected by magnetic dellection means or by electrostatic defiection means and the length of the swept or elongated beam will normally be about 3 to 15 times its width and preferably 8 to 12 times its width.

This shaping is done purely by means of the sweep signal, either arising from current or voltage, which is developed in the ion flow path or beam ow path by electromagnetic or electrostatic means.

It has been found most suitable to provide a face plate or screen susceptible to polarization which will have a plurality of closely spaced lines composed of red, yellow and blue lined phosphors, each set of which in parallelism willbe arranged at an angle of 120 to the next parallel set so that the polarized `colors will form an obliquely crossing grid on the face of the kinescope.

The` cross overs between these polarized colored lines may be varied, but it has been found desirable to space them by one vertical scanning line within the colorless cross points where the three colors are superimposed, serving to facilitate black and white pictures.

The thickness of the color bars may be varied in the grid with the space between Athe bars varying between 25 and 75% and the thickness of the bars varying between 25 to 50% in any parallelseries of arrangement.

Normally, in the preferred arrangement, the red and blue bars mayfbe of minimum width, say from 20' to 30%,` whereas the yellow bars could `have maximum width of from 30 to40%.`

The number of colored phosphor lines ofeach diiferent color would be the maximum obtainable for proper denition and resolution for any size picture tube. `The spacing and thickness will vary to give the desired result. By this combination of red, yellow and blue bars in criss-cross arrangement, it is possible to produce the subsidiary or merged .colors such as orange, green and purple by illuminating two primary colors either simultaneously or in rapid succession.

The screen face may also be provided with Fresnel type lines embedded `with the red, blue and yellow phosphors and there may also be employed polaroid screens with these red, yellow and blue colors, properly polarized illuminated by the phosphor screen behind.

Although not limited thereto, it has been found in one embodiment of the present invention to place the red lines vertically in a closely parallel spaced arrangement with the yellow and blue lines being positioned 120 on either side of such vertical axis. However, this arrangement may be widely varied depending upon the control electrical arrangements which will swing or rotate the activating electron beams in accordance with the layout upon the face plate of the tube.

A particular feature` of the present invention resides in the fact that instead` of irregular (assumed) circular activating electron beams', these beams are elongated or swept to form bars, the longitudinal axis of which will always be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the respective corresponding color lines on the face plate or screen of the kinescope.

In` the preferred arrangement, the neck of the tube is provided with a deflection coil closest to the face plate, a color phase sweep coil for each primary color, a focus coil, an ion trap and an emitter in that order along the neck of the tube from the face plate.

Finally, there will be the base shell provided with the connection pins and prongs.

The color phasing sweep coil may work either in front `or in back of the "focus coil regarding the color screen or grid as the front. The important features 'of the present invention is that each electron beam is elongated or flattened into a bar, substantially and simultaneously with the angular displacement so as to sweep and illuminate the corresponding color line on the face plate of the kinescope with the result that the invention makes use of electron bar beams rather than dots to achieve the final colored images.

The polarized color lines will be illuminated by the angular sweeping effect corresponding to the color desired and the number of colors which will result will be determined by the color information furnished by the color demodulator.

With either electromagnetic or electrostatic deflection methods there will be used three pairs or three sets of deflection coils or deflection plates, two being provided for each color, which will have the effect of elongating the spot into a bar and also turning such bar so that it will be aligned with the particular color to which it corresponds.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic View in side perspective of a kinescope with the face plate removed and enlarged, showing the criss-cross grid thereon of varying color effect.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic electric circuit layout showing the manner in which the tube is controlled and excited with the arrangement of the components. v Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic layout view showing the effect sweeping the electron beams by the electromagnetic or electrostatic means of the present invention and how such swept beams are aligned with the color lines.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view showing how the swept beam will overlap a crossing point and give a color value.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration showing how the same eect will be applied to a polaroid screen.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a tube A having a face plate or screen C with a criss-cross grid of primary colors.

In the form shown, although not restricted thereto, the vertical bars or bands R will be red; the oblique to the left upwardly bars Y will be yellow; and the obliquely upwardly to the right bars will be blue. This color arrangement may be widely varied, but the uniform 120 angle spacing should be maintained.

At the colorless crossing points D, the black and white pictures may be facilitated. It will be noted that the spacing between the color lines B, Y and R is always greater than the width of the color lines themselves by a ratio varying between 5 to l and 2 to l, but preferably in the order of between 4 to l and 3 to l. Desirably, the red lines in turn may be heavier and wider than the blue lines. These ratios could vary depending on the desired color rendition and toning to be effected.

Referring to the neck E of the tube A in the form shown in both Figs. l and 2, there is shown the end cap F with the electrical connection and location pins on prongs G, the ion trap I-I, the focus coil J, the color phase sweep coils K and the deflection coils L.

Three color phase sweep coils K are provided, one set for each primary color. .It will be noted that these color phasing sweep coils are connected by means of the electrical lines to the yellow amplifiergll, the blue amplifier 12 andthe red amplier 13, In turn these ampliiiers are connected by the electrical connections 14, 15 and 16 to the color burst driver and separator 17 which in turn is connected by the line 1S to the phased color demodulator.

The other side of the Y, B and R amplifiers 11, 12 and 13 are connected by the lines 19, 20 and 21 and the trunk line 22 to the high frequency oscillator 23.

No special claim to the construction or arrangement of the color amplifiers 11, 12 and 13, the color burst driver and separator 17, and the high frequency oscillator 23 is made in this invention, since these constructions may be conventional as may also the deilector coil L, the focus coil E and the ion trap H. However, the input of the color amplifier tubes are keyed to the color burst tube which acts as a valve, and controls or indi- Cates the combination or quantity of colors to go through to the screen C.

The high frequency oscillator 23 will generate the sweep signal which is transmitted to the three amplifiers 11, 12 and 13. The color phasing sweep coils K, two of which are provided for each color, will impress a sweep on the electron beam and give it a length on the screen approximately the size and width of one vertical sweep line. The completed color phasing sweep coils K will consist of six coils, two for each color which are opposite each other and which, when driven by the color sweep amplifier, will position the electron bar beam in the desired angular place upon the screen or grid C.

The sweep amplifier is desirably biased to cut off for no signal, 4and upon impression or transmission of a color information pulse or signal in the input, a sweep pulse burst is impressed in the appropriate color phasing sweep coil K and an electron bar beam of the desired angle and length will be generated and applied to the screen of Fig. l.

Instead of using three sets or pairs of electromagnetic sweep coils K it is possible to utilize electrostatic deilection plates which would also be arranged in three pairs or sets at the same position as the sweep coils K.

Referring to Fig. 3 the red lines R, the blue lines B and the yellow lines Y are shown approaching a crossing point D, and for purposes of contrast there are shown the elongated or swept beams or bars 50 sweeping the red vertical lines R, or 51 sweeping the yellow lines Y, or 52 sweeping the blue lines B. Desirably these bars 50, 51 and 52 are slightly wider than the colored lines R, Y and B respectively so that they will extend beyond the side edges of the lines R, Y and B.

In Fig. 4 it is indicated that these swept beams 50 also extend beyond the crossing point D so that there will be an effective color value equivalent to one-half to threequarters of their length when they pass across the crossing point D and there will be no substantial loss in color value when they are moving `across the neutral points D.

In Fig. 5 is shown an alternative polaroid face plate or screen which is formed of three layers of material 61, 62 and 63, each of which is striated or aligned so as to give the desired color value.

For example, the rear polaroid plate-61 will be striated vertically as indicated at 64 to give red values; the second plate will be striated at 65 to give blue values; whereas the top plate, as indicated at 66, will be striated to give yellow values. This type of arrangement may be used in lieu of the criss-cross face plate shown in Fig. l.

The deflection coils K or any equivalent electrostatic deflection plates may be placed on either side of the focus coil I, and less preferably they may be placed inside the neck of the tube. In the present invention the coils K are not used for color purification, registry or centering, but primarily are used for sweep purposes and for generating the sweep signal so that there is obtained bars such as indicated in 50, 51 and 52 in Figs. 3 and 4 which are turned to coincide with the direction of the colored lines. The relative position of the red, blue and yellow lines or striations may be varied but they should be ganan:

apart as; indicated in Figs. 1, 3,` 4nd 5, and actually although the width is shown as about %V theA length in Figs. 3 and 4, the width may be anywhere from ya, to IAO the length of the swept beam. It is possible to vary the intensities by varying the length of the bars 50, 51 and 52 and it is possible to vary the intensities of intermediate colors and change their shades` by the relative proportionment of the length of the bars 50,l 51 and 52. For example, to give a stronger blue inthe green-the bar 52 would be longer than the bar51, andlto give a stronger red in the purple the bar 50 would be longer than the bar 52.

The variation in length of the bar will give wide variety in different intensities. and tonal gradations. The present system avoids misregistry and seepage or fuzziness of color outline characteristic in the masking plate and dot procedure and it results in amuch more eiective use of the electron beam with greatly enhanced power, brightness and color definition. The essential feature of the present invention resides in the sweeping and rotation of the ion spot which, instead of consisting of a dot when applied to the face plate, consists of a bar which is rotated to a predetermined 120 position and which is lined up with a similar set of rotated color lines.

To produce the final image, the polarized color screen (lines) will be illuminated by the electron bar beam cor-` responding to the color desired. Since the physical length of the electron bar beam is limited on the face plate, it will only extend to that vertical portion which will correspond to approximately two horizontal lines (e. g., one vertical frame). If two colors or combinations of colors are required, two electron bar beams will exist and both colors will be displayed.

The number of colored phosphor lines of given color will vary for any size picture tube depending on the maximum amount permissible consistent with picture definition and resolution desired. The spacing and thickness, therefore, will vary accordingly.

The scanning of the swept bar may be simultaneous or sequential.

This method utilizes a conventional single electron gun kinescope which, with special face plate arrangement, will give a high quality true colored image.

The invention thus provides a true tri-color picture tube where the three primary colors are obtained by three colored phosphors rearranged as criss-cross lines upon Ia single face plate. By means of angular displacement of the electron beam which is swept to form a thin elongated bar, the desired color effect will be obtained on the face plate resulting in a true colored image of the desired picture.

While there has herein been illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that applicant does not limit himself to the precise construction herein disclosed, and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, what is claimed is:

l. In a color television tube of the type having a plurality of spaced parallel color bands of each primary color, the parallel bands of the different primary colors being at angles of 120 to each other and forming a crisscross pattern and also having an elongated bar to follow said bands, and also having a neck and having a face plate, an electron beam source and means to sweep said beam so as to give an elongated bar and turn said bar so as to sweep said face plate at a predetermined angle.

2. In a color television tube of the type having a plurality of spaced parallel color bands of each primary color, the parallel bands of the different primary colors being at angles of 120 to each other and forming a crisscross pattern and also having an elongated bar to follow said bands, and also having a neck and having a face plate, an electron beam source and means to sweep said beam so as to give an elongated bar and turn said bar so as to sweep said face plate at a predetermined angle, said face plate having a plurality of criss-cross color bands at angles to each other.

3. In a color television tube of the type having a plurality of spaced parallel color bands of each primary color, the parallel bands of the different primary colors being at angles of to each other and forming a crisscross pattern and also having an elongated bar to follow said bands, and also having a neck and having a face plate, an electron beam source and means to sweep said beam so as to give an elongated bar and turn said bar so as to sweep said face plate at a predetermined angle, said face plate having a plurality of red, blue and yellow bands at angles of 120 to each other.

4. In a color television tube of the type having a plurality of spaced parallel color bands of each primary color, the parallel bands of the diierent primary colors being at angles of 120 to each other and forming a crisscross pattern and also having an elongated bar to follow said bands, and also having a neck and having a face plate, an electron beam source and means to sweep said beam so as to give an elongated bar and turn said bar so as to sweep said face plate at a predetermined angle, sai-d beam being swept so that its length in the direction of movement is from 3 to l0 times its Width in the transverse to the direction of movement.

5. In a color television tube of the type having a plurality of spaced parallel color bands of each primary color, the parallel bands of the different primary colors being at angles of 120 to each other and forming a crisscross pattern and also having an elongated bar to follow said bands, and also having a neck and having a face plate, an electron beam source and means to sweep said beam so as to give an elongated bar and turn said bar so as to sweep said face plate at a predetermined angle, said last-mentioned means being electromagnetic coils arranged in pairs across the neck of the tube.

6. In a color television tube of the type having a plurality of spaced parallel color bands of each primary color, the parallel bands of the different primary colors being at angles of 120 to each other and forming a crisscross pattern and also having an elongated bar to follow said bands, and also having a neck and having a face plate, an electron beam source and means to sweep said beam so as to give an elongated bar and turn said bar so as to sweep said face plate at a predetermined angle, said last-mentioned means being electrostatic arrangements positioned at the neck of the tube.

7. A color television system of the type having a plurality of spaced parallel color bands of each primary color, the parallel bands of the different primary colors being at angles of 120 to each other and-forming a crisscross pattern and also having an elongated bar to follow said bands, and also comprising a face plate having a plurality of closely spaced differential color bands spaced at angles to each other, a source of an electron beam and means to elongate and turn said beam to sweep said lines at the predetermined angle.

8. A color television system of the type having a plurality of spaced parallel color bands of each primary color, the parallel bands of the different primary colors being at angles of 120 to each other and forming a crisscross pattern and also having an elongated bar to follow said bands, and also comprising a face plate having a plurality of closely spaced differential color bands spaced at angles to each other, a source of an electron beam and means to elongate and turn said beam to sweep said bands at the predetermined angle, said face plate consisting of a series of polaroid transparent members in which the differential colored layer of each successive layer is arranged at 120 to the next layer.

9, A color television system of the type having a plurality yof spaced parallel color bands of each primary color, the parallel bands of the different primary colors being at angles of 120 to each other and forming a crisscross pattern and also having an elongated bar to follow said bands, and also comprising ay face plate having a plurality yof closely spaced diiferential color bands spaced at angles to each other, a source of an electron beam and means to elongate and turn said beam to sweep said bands at the predetermined angle, said face plate consisting of a Fresnel lens arrangement.

l0. A color television system of the type having a plurality of spaced parallel color bands of each primary color, the parallel bands of the different primary colors being at angles of 120 to each other and forming a crisscross pattern and also having an elongated bar to follow said bands, and also comprising a face plate having a plurality of closely spaced dierential color bands spaced at angles to each other, a source of an electron beam and means' to elongate and turn said beam to sweep vsaid bands at the predetermined angle, said last-mentioned means consisting of three pairs of electromagnetic devices.

11. A eolortelevision system of the type havingaplurality of spaced parallel color bands of each primary color, the parallel bands of the dierent primary colors being at angles of 120 to each other and forming a crisscross pattern and also having an elongated bar to follow said bands, and also comprising a face plate having a' plurality of closely spaced diiferential color bands spaced at anglesto each other, a source of an electron beam and means to elongate and turn said beam to sweep said bands at thepredetermned angle, said last-mentioned means consisting of three pairs of electrostatic devices.

References Cited in the file of this patent Y UNITED STATES PATENTS 

